Saturday, February 23, 2013

Collectors of garage rock and psychedelic music like to espouse about who got to a certain sound first. The first to play punk rock, or what is sometimes referred to "proto-punk", something that influenced the punk and rock sounds of the future. Sure, the scenes of New York, California and London have their places as having the first bands that carried a fuzzy, punk-like sound. But would you believe that Charlotte, NC produced a record that led the charge of the Fuzz Brigade, months before the rest of the country tuned in?

In the early summer of 1965, the Grifs entered Arthur Smith Studios, and recorded "Catch A Ride", which opens with an absolute wall of fuzzed-out guitar. The single would become a hit in Charlotte, and then catch on in the Midwest US, and Canada. There Was A Time is proud to feature the first-ever feature interview with Grifs founder Barry Stacks about this influential band.

You'll be able to read all about the Grifs when There Was A Time is released. For now, dig the Grifs, in all their fuzzy glory.
-Daniel
Feb. 23, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Any discussion about North Carolina music in the 1960s has to include the Paragons. Formed in Charlotte in 1965, their lone single, "Abba/Mister You're A Better Man Than I" now sells for upwards of $1,800 in collector circles. "Abba" may be the best-known garage rock/psychedelic song to emerge from North Carolina, an intoxicating blend of guitar hooks, and sing-along choruses.

In 2010, our friend Mike Dugo of www.60sgaragebands.com found the Paragons' 1967 appearance on the Village Square TV show. This invaluable find is a rare document of bands during that time looked, and sounded in North Carolina. This song is so important, we've dedicated an entire chapter to the song, and its creation. The fabled Ugly Things Magazine will be excerpting this chapter in their next issue, so check it out. In the meantime, enjoy the Paragons on the Village Square show. Seeing and hearing is believing.
-Daniel
February 21, 2013

Sunday, February 17, 2013

A source of both inspiration, and research for this book came from Ken Friedman's Tobacco A Go Go series, which chronicled the 45s of many North Carolina bands during the 1960s. Ken released Volume One in 1983, and released the second volume in 1986. In 2008, he released the third volume as a free download, which can be found here-

The great record label Paradise Of Batchelors reissued Volume One a couple of years ago. They are now sold out, but you listen to it to their website here-http://paradiseofbachelors.bandcamp.com/album/tobacco-a-go-go-north-carolina-rock-n-roll-in-the-sixties-volume-1This is all great music, and I highly recommend it all, and am happy to acknowledge Ken for the work that he's done over the years. Many of the bands featured in these volumes can also be found separately on Youtube, and I'll give you more of these links shortly. The book is currently in the layout stage, and I'll post more updates, and photos as we get closer to having it for sale. Until then, safe travels,-DanielFebruary 17, 2013

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

There Was A Time: Rock & Roll in the 1960s in Charlotte, and North Carolina.

Written by Jacob Berger and Daniel Coston

The first-ever book on the Rock & Roll, garage rock and psychedelic scene in North Carolina. The book discusses music throughout the state, while using Charlotte as a homebase for the book, allowing the reader to follow a group of kids throughout the decade. Their ups, their downs, and what it meant to be a young musician during that time. Interviews with members of the Paragons ("Abba"), Grifs ("Catch A Ride"), Stowaways (Justice Records), Don Dixon, Mitch Easter, Phil Lee (of the Bondsmen), Bob Hinkle (of the Good Earth), New Mix, Young Ages, Hodads, TC Atlantic, and much, much more. The book also features the complete story of the Paragons' "Abba", and a full listing of Rock & Roll bands that were playing throughout North Carolina in the 1960s, as well as extended coverage of the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham) scenes, Asheville, and Winston-Salem.

Email Daniel Coston at danielcoston (at) aol dot com for more information. Check this site often for more news, and links.

About Me

I have been a traveler, a documentarian, an enjoyer of life, a survivor, a lead character, a supporting role, a storyteller, an excitable boy, a quiet soul, and an occasional thinker. All when the world asked me to, or all at the same time.